BOOK REVIEW COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING ON SPECIAL EDUCATION

Scholarly Research Journal for Humanity Science & English Language, Online ISSN 2348-3083, SJ IMPACT FACTOR 2017: 5.068, www.srjis.com PEER REVIEWED & REFERRED JOURNAL, JUNE-JULY, 2019, VOL- 7/34

BOOK REVIEW COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING ON SPECIAL EDUCATION Nimmi M.O., Ph. D. Privately Published , Comprehensive Learning on Special Education: Vadakkedathu House, Maramon P.O. , Pathanamthitta, Kerala ,India:2018 Reviewd by Madhuri Suresh Isave, Ph. D. Associate Professor, Tilak College of Education Pune-30

Scholarly Research Journal's is licensed Based on a work at www.srjis.com

Comprehensive

Learning

on

Special

Education is a deep insight to the needs and development of special education. The book answers

the

various

questions

on

the

requirements and development of the special education. The author Dr. Nimmi Oommen is an assistant Professor of Education at Titus II teachers college , Tiruvalla, Kerala. She is an expert teacher educator with an experience of 18 years teaching and has a wide interest in the areas of teaching , research and publishing articles in reputed journals. She is a resource person for the teacher empowerment programmes conducted by different universities and through various organizations.

The book is a deep and comprehensive guideline about the special education. The world of special education is widened in theoretical aspects but lessened in practical aspects Copyright Š 2017, Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies

Dr. Nimmi M.O.& Dr. Madhuri Suresh Isave (Pg. 9088-9091)

9089

day by day. Up to the times many of the human aspects in special learning are seldom focused . Lack of thorough knowledge is a serious deficiency in this regard. Considering the special education programmes in and out of classroom this deficiency turns to be a barrier .

It is here that the education system or special education needs to be properly oriented and conscientized on how well this system of special learners need to be catered .Present book takes initiative to sequentialize and categorize requirements of special education The book which is spread in five chapters serves as a spring board for foundational and advanced learning on special education . We may be enriched with well –presented information and deep-insights on the special education.

As one of the reader of special education Dr. Nimmi’s book is comprehensive and with deep study. Her style is non-judgmental with simplicity in language . She describes her thoughts on special education in a simple way but enriched with most precious information and deep study in each sector. She has acknowledged the various categories in special education to follow an accurate path to the parents, special educators and readers in which they will find solutions and remedies to their problems. Her book is presented in a structural way of education with advanced knowledge in special education .

The book begins with definition and meaning of special education. Special education is the practice of educating students in the way that addresses their individual differences and needs. Author has mentioned 13 categories of special education as defined by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Stating the purpose of special education author explained goal ,need and importance of special education. According to author special education makes it possible for the child

to achieve academic success in the least restrictive

environment despite their disability. Author has explained the concept of exceptional children followed by that she explained the concept, characteristics of mentally challenged children.

She also states educational provisions for them. After that she has described the characteristics of learning disabled children. She also explains the features of the children having problems like loco motar Disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and leprosy as well as visual, auditory and speech impairment- Their limitations & educational needs. In the end of the module she well- explained the features of gifted children.

In the module 2 concept & philosophy of inclusive education is given. According to author inclusion is an educational approach and philosophy that provides all students with community membership and greater opportunities for academic and social achievement. In the opinion of author the goal of an inclusive education system is to provide all students with Copyright © 2017, Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies

Dr. Nimmi M.O.& Dr. Madhuri Suresh Isave (Pg. 9088-9091)

9090

most appropriate learning environment and opportunities for them to best achieve their potential. Author has well-explained the principles of inclusion elements, benefits and essentialities. She highlighted inclusive practices in Kerala. She has also mentioned that the education department plans to set up talent labs in schools. She also focused on the difference between special education and inclusive education.

In the next module author discussed inclusive practices and psychosocial issues .Author has explained about infrastructure and accessibility. She also focused on culture of an inclusive school. She reveals the attitude towards disability-school readiness for addressing learning difficulties. She explains about how assessment of special children is done and it’s purpose. She has well-explained classroom management and organization. She also highlighted on how to do lesson planning and how to create Individualized Educational Plan (IEP).She stated that an IEP is a document that describes an educational program that has been developed for one specific student with special needs. Author explained pedagogical strategies to respond to individual needs of students and well explained techniques like cooperative learning, peer tutoring, social learning, buddy system, reflective teaching and multisensory teaching.she described further psychosocial issues and problem- behavior and role of family in raising special children. At the end of the module she elaborated legal rights and national policies made for special education.

In module 4 author explains multidisciplinary approach. Multidisciplinary approach to curriculum integration focuses primarily on the different disciplines and the diverse perspectives they bring to illustrate a topic, theme or issue. She revealed the need and relevance of multidisciplinary approach in India. She described how to develop the positive relationships between school and home. She focused on involving community resources as source of support to teachers.

She well explained the supportive services required for

meeting special needs in the classroom i.e. special teachers, speech therapists and counselors.

She explained their role in school education, assessment and treatment and how they can help to special teachers in their development. She added how to develop partnerships in teaching teacher & special teacher; teacher and co-teaching personnel and parents as partners. At the end of module she explained rights based approach for special education.

In the last module i.e. module 5 author has well-explained about assistive and adaptive technologies.

Author has taken a complete review and advanced technologies in the present book.

She has explained in short but still it is very accurate and in depths. Readers especially those Copyright Š 2017, Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies

Dr. Nimmi M.O.& Dr. Madhuri Suresh Isave (Pg. 9088-9091)

9091

who want to study about special education present book is a perfect guidance for them. It will not give an outline but thorough enriched information of any topic in the special education.

So any reader can get accurate information on any topic which he might want to know.

Author has been given enriched and accurate information in the simplest way. The book is also structured. It covers all the important topics. To be sure, there is some weakness in the book. Though the book provides accurate and advanced information, it is very short. If anybody wants a detailed explanation researchers is hard to find. The book focuses on the specific points which author has to say but if we have to find information besides that it is rarely known. The book do not contain the name of the publication prominently which should be noted.

Nevertheless the book provides a valuable and comprehensive guidance for the special education which is most important. The book provides small, precise, structured and enriched with accurate and advanced information which is found rarely in other books. So ‘comprehensive on special education’ as the name suggest is a valuable guidance for all the readers and is one of the precious book which I had found.

Copyright © 2017, Scholarly Research Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies